Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 14
Indra’s Envy at Pṛthu’s Aśvamedha and Brahmā’s Intervention
False Renunciation Exposed
तं तादृशाकृतिं वीक्ष्य मेने धर्मं शरीरिणम् । जटिलं भस्मनाच्छन्नं तस्मै बाणं न मुञ्चति ॥ १४ ॥
taṁ tādṛśākṛtiṁ vīkṣya mene dharmaṁ śarīriṇam jaṭilaṁ bhasmanācchannaṁ tasmai bāṇaṁ na muñcati
Thấy dáng vẻ ấy—tóc bện thành búi và thân phủ tro—con trai vua Prithu tưởng Indra là hiện thân của dharma, một vị sannyāsi thanh tịnh; vì vậy không bắn tên.
FAQs
This verse says Pṛthu, seeing the ascetic-like form, understood him as Dharma embodied and therefore refrained from attacking—showing that true righteousness can be recognized and honored even amid conflict.
Because Pṛthu perceived the figure—matted-haired and covered with ash—as Dharma personified, and out of reverence and discernment he withheld violence.
Pause before reacting in anger; if a situation calls for higher principles (fairness, conscience, lawful conduct), restrain impulsive retaliation and choose the dharmic response.